Rollerbladers and skateboarders have been banned from a town centre after a barrage of complaints about nuisance and damage.

Signs have been posted around Shipley warning skaters off the pedestrian zone in Market Square and information packs alerting young people to the dangers of skating in built-up areas are being circulated to youth groups.

The moves come after town centre management received a series of complaints from traders and others saying they were being put in danger by skaters descending on the town, mainly in the evenings and at weekends.

Bradford Council has responded with a new bylaw banning the activity in Shipley town centre and in parts of Bradford and Keighley.

Signs have gone up, warning offenders they are liable to a minimum fine of £500 if they are successfully prosecuted.

Shipley town centre manager Bob Parker said: "The town centre is not the place for people to come and skate - it's a danger to pedestrians and can lead to the damage of street furniture.

"In one case, a woman cut her leg on a piece of metal on a seat which had been damaged, leaving a huge gash on her leg. She was deeply distressed.

"Several traders have also made complaints about the skaters.

"We don't want to be insensitive about the issue and we want to work with the local community to try to find somewhere else for them to skate.

"But there was going to be an accident if the skating continued."

He added that town centre management was working closely with Bradford Council's Youth and Community service to seek out a solution to the skaters' needs and there were already dedicated sites for skateboarding in Roberts Park and the Daily Grind in Bingley.

Bradford's Lord Mayor, Coun Tony Miller, who is also chairman of Shipley Town Centre Steering Group, has endorsed the moves.

He said: "We are seeking to provide a safe shopping environment for the community in Shipley town centre. Unfortunately, skateboarders are causing problems for the elderly, those with mobility problems and the partially sighted.

"In addition, considerable damage is being caused to handrails and public seating. It would be foolish to have spent the amount of money that we did on Market Square and then allow these activities to ruin it. We are sensitive to the needs of the skateboarders and I know that work has gone into finding an alternative local location."

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